India's Asia Cup Squad Announced: Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal Left Out

Announcement of Asia Cup Squad

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 19: Following the announcement of India's squad for the Asia Cup, chief selector Ajit Agarkar revealed that Shreyas Iyer will not be part of the 15-member team, indicating that he will have to wait for his opportunity.

The squad was unveiled during a press conference featuring T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, which took place after a selection meeting that included BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia.

India's Upcoming Matches

India is set to begin its campaign against the UAE on September 10, followed by a highly anticipated match against Pakistan on September 14, both scheduled to occur in Dubai. The final group stage match will be against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.

Comments on Shreyas Iyer's Exclusion

Agarkar addressed Iyer's exclusion, stating, "It's neither his fault nor ours. We can only select 15 players, and for now, he must wait for his chance." Iyer had an impressive IPL season, finishing as the sixth-highest run-scorer with 604 runs in 17 matches, averaging 50.33 and boasting a strike rate of 175.07, including six fifties.

Yashasvi Jaiswal's Situation

Yashasvi Jaiswal has been included as a reserve player for the Asia Cup. Agarkar expressed regret over his exclusion from the main squad, noting that Abhishek Sharma's ability to bowl provides India with an additional option.

"It's unfortunate for Yashasvi. Abhishek has performed well over the past year and can bowl, which gives us flexibility if needed. One of these players was always going to miss out, and it's unfortunate that Yashasvi has to wait for his opportunity," he explained.

Jaiswal's Performance and Future Prospects

Jaiswal was a backup opener for the T20 World Cup last year, aiming to partner with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. He has accumulated 723 runs in 23 T20Is, including a century and five fifties, with a career strike rate exceeding 164. His IPL 2025 performance, where he scored 559 runs in 14 matches, has reignited discussions about his T20I potential.

Washington Sundar's Reserve Status

All-rounder Washington Sundar has also been named among the reserves. Agarkar confirmed that Sundar remains a consideration for the upcoming T20 World Cup, stating, "This is not the final squad for the World Cup. We currently have three spinners, and Sundar could be included if we need an additional spinner in the future."

Jitesh Sharma's Selection

Indian T20 captain Surya Kumar Yadav praised Jitesh Sharma's transformation since the last T20 World Cup, highlighting his improved performance that earned him a place in the Asia Cup squad as a backup wicketkeeper-batter for Sanju Samson.

"Post the T20 World Cup, we discussed how to approach the game. He has taken it one match at a time, and his consistent performance in IPL and domestic tournaments has secured his spot," Yadav remarked.

Tournament Structure and Schedule

After the group stage, the tournament will advance to the Super 4, where the top two teams from each group will qualify. If India tops Group A, all Super 4 matches will be held in Dubai; if they finish second, one match will take place in Abu Dhabi, with the rest in Dubai. The Super 4 stage is scheduled from September 20 to 26, culminating in the final on September 28 in Dubai.

Team India for Asia Cup

Team India squad for Asia Cup: Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh

Reserve players: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal.